82 Dead After Massive Coal Mine Explosion in Northern China

At least 82 people are dead after a massive gas explosion at a coal mine in China's northern Shanxi province, with another 128 injured.

Around 247 people were in the mine at the time of the explosion, which took place at the Liushenyu coal mine in the northern Chinese province of Liushenyu.

The event is currently under investigation, but officials have confirmed that the incident was due to some sort of gas explosion. Search-and-rescue operations are in full force, but the death toll continues to rise as teams find more bodies inside the mine. At least two other miners are still missing, and 128 have been injured. 82 people have been confirmed dead, up from the initial death toll of just eight but lower than the earlier toll of around 90.

Carbon monoxide sensors deep inside the mine indicated that the levels of the dangerous gas had soared past safe levels, leading to dozens more hospitalizations after workers trapped inside the mine inhaled the fumes.

Initial reports found that the mine had been flagged in 2024 for being unsafe, along with over 1,100 other mines across China. However, the Liushenyu mine was found to be particularly dangerous due to high gas levels– yet, no action was taken. Unfortunately, mine explosions like yesterday's are relatively common in China, where relaxed regulations and a high population have allowed many mines to avoid abiding by proper safety ordinances.

Chinese officials have confirmed that they have found the mining company to be in violation of several of these regulations, and the corporation is likely to face serious penalties after the deaths of dozens of miners.

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Image credit to AP